Alex Karev's Grey's Anatomy Return: Justin Chambers Says NO!

Grey's Anatomy Season 21: Justin Chambers' Karev Comments – Good News for Jo?

Alex Karev's Absence: Why Justin Chambers' Stance Is Great for Jo and Grey's Anatomy

Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). A major OG in Grey's Anatomy! His sudden exit in season 16 was controversial. A voiceover goodbye? Leaving via letter? Not really something we'd expect from the amazing character arc Karev had!

Throughout 16 seasons, he went from a total jerk to someone who genuinely cared, becoming Meredith's rock. This makes how Karev abandoned Jo especially gut-wrenching; a completely unbelievable betrayal that created many difficulties for Jo in her own journey toward self-sufficiency. Now there is additional potential controversy: that potential return might be even worse; potentially leaving much of the earlier heartbreak to be reopened, something totally unwanted for any fan base and a completely unwise choice overall, if he does.

Also Read: Grey's Anatomy: Catherine Fox and Meredith Grey's Complicated Relationship

Justin Chambers Rules Out a Karev Return (For Now!)

Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox and Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey in Grey's Anatomy season 21's premiere Image

Many Grey's OGs returned after leaving: Addison, Arizona, Jackson. It’s happened multiple times! But Chambers isn't interested. He calls it "closed for now"– even if his statement didn't fully reject the potential return for future plot developments, and highlighting the key sentiment of being grateful to the experience in Grey's Anatomy. However, he does not plan to come back at all in this foreseeable time frame.

Why the refusal? Reportedly, it's because Chambers wanted new challenges and new roles – this he’s already found following his departure! Chambers didn’t fully shut down a future comeback, but any possible return remains far in the distant future; and in his most recent activities, Chambers displays exactly his desire toward more diversifying aspects, demonstrating his efforts for avoiding those limitations for career expansion and development. Returning so soon would go completely against those established aims and would seriously hurt Chambers in pursuing those much bigger opportunities that exist. His role in Accused perfectly displays that amazing progression that this particular actor accomplished!

Also Read: Grey's Anatomy Season 21: Ben Warren's Return & The Harsh Reality of Intern Careers

Why Karev's Return Would Be Terrible for Jo

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev in Grey's Anatomy Image

Karev coming back for Grey's Anatomy Season 21? A terrible choice for many reasons! Most especially, Jo. That abandonment was profoundly traumatic and she's only just started healing—moving on from this heartbreak which is now finally possible and demonstrates those changes for her character that viewers everywhere now see. Bringing Karev back, however seemingly enjoyable it could be in revisiting beloved and unforgettable past plots would hurt the audience: this makes a totally negative and unnecessarily hurtful situation which would leave a bad feeling and end many arcs very badly. It risks entirely destroying all this carefully achieved progress within that storyline and this moment should therefore remain untouched in the current trajectory.

It's equally bad for Meredith! Having to handle her brother-in-law’s appearance after his initial, rather negative exit that led to those immense complications surrounding Jo would really create new complications; a new burden for her already heavy schedule.

Also Read: Japril: The Tumultuous Love Story of Jackson & April on Grey's Anatomy

Does Grey's Anatomy Even NEED Karev Back?

Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson and Jason George as Ben Warren in Grey's Anatomy season 21, episode 4 Image

Fans love those Grey's Anatomy OG returns, but Karev's case differs from all the others. How he left: those extremely hurt feelings for Jo, Meredith and his peers create a key context that make his potential reappearance entirely difficult to portray properly. It’s simply counterproductive – risk ruining those efforts at his eventual growth as a more functional and well-developed person.

Bringing back other characters however make far more sense, and provide more opportunities: Cristina's return for those moments in helping Meredith, is extremely valid and adds so much more meaning and excitement to the overall narrative direction which would greatly influence both current and later storytelling elements. Even Izzie's return–after years absent–would also make for a better, well-thought-out story arc!

Also Read: Ben Warren Returns to Grey's Anatomy: What We Know!

Conclusion: Justin Chambers' Decision Protects Jo's Journey

Link (Chris Carmack) and Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) chatting in the hall in Grey's Anatomy season 20 Image

Chambers’ stance against an immediate return is wise! While Karev's reappearance would be nostalgic, it hurts current storylines. A truly awful storyline in this instance because it completely reopens issues, particularly regarding Jo's storyline; potentially jeopardizing a very well-crafted storyline which adds great meaning to Jo and her current place in life and how those past experiences affected her, something many audiences already identify with on multiple emotional and individual levels! The actor Chambers is seeking challenges outside of his prior iconic role, something highly valid, creating many new opportunities which would add both value and perspective for that future trajectory! But this should really highlight an important and crucial decision which impacts those stories which continue.